West served as the crew chief this week at Fenway Park when the first two games stretched close to four hours. In Tuesday’s game, Angel Hernandez denied requests for timeouts by Derek Jeter, David Ortiz and Marcus Thames while he was working behind the plate, according to a report in The Record.

Before Wednesday’s game, West told the newspaper the teams were “pathetic and embarrassing” and a “disgrace to baseball.”

Those comments did not go over well with Rivera.

“He has a job to do. He should do his job,” Rivera said. “We don’t want to play four-hour games, but that’s what it takes. We respect and love the fans and do what we have to do, and that’s play our game.”

Both Yankees manager Joe Girardi and general manger Brian Cashman declined to comment.

West was the plate umpire for Sunday’s opener, which lasted 3 hours and 46 minutes. Tuesday’s game was 3 hours and 48 minutes. Wednesday’s game moved quicker, lasting 3 hours and 21 minutes even though it went 10 innings.

“They’re the two clubs that don’t try to pick up the pace,” West said. “They’re two of the best teams in baseball. Why are they playing the slowest?

“It’s pathetic and embarrassing. They take too long to play.”

*

Cashman had to be a happy man watching Wednesday’s 3-1 victory with two of his offseason acquisitions playing a big role.

Curtis Granderson hit the game-winning home run, his second in the series, and Chan Ho Park pitched three innings of relief to get the ball to Rivera.

“With the forensic science that comes in our market that the fan base and the media apply, it’s nice for the new additions to do well early,” Cashman said. “It’s always a tough road. It just makes the road easier if you can get out of the gate on a good note.

“They both have earned their stripes rather early, and it’s nice.”

*

It’s only three games, but the Yankees have relied on the bottom rather than the star-studded top of their lineup to carry them offensively.

The team’s 1-4 hitters are 6-for-49 (.122) with two extra-base hits. Nick Johnson (0-for-9) and Mark Teixeira (0-for-12) are searching for their first hit.

*

Andy Pettitte appears to be fine after his first-inning collision with Jacoby Ellsbury on Wednesday. He complained of a “whiplash” feeling in his neck after the game but he wasn’t spotted yesterday at George M. Steinbrenner Field, where injured Yankees went for treatment.

*

Gates open at 11 a.m. Tuesday for the Yankees’ home opener with the Angels. Pregame festivities, highlighted by the Yankees receiving their World Series rings, will begin at 12:15 p.m.